The Education Committee was established to advise and assist the Minister of Education. The Committee provided a system of checks and balances and allowed Assembly members to question Ministers on policy matters. It operated during those periods from November 1999 until October 2002 when devolved power in Northern Ireland was fully operational. The two most senior figures on the Committee were the chair and deputy chair.

Education Committee 1999-2002

Chairperson: Mr Danny Kennedy (UUP)

Deputy Chairperson: Mr Sammy Wilson (DUP)

Mrs Eileen Bell (APNI)

Mr John Fee (SDLP)

Mr Tommy Gallagher (SDLP)

Mr Oliver Gibson (DUP)

Mr Tom Hamilton3 (UUP)

Mr Alban Maginness2 (SDLP)

Mr Gerry McHugh (SF)

Mr Mitchel McLaughlin1 (SF)

Mr Ken Robinson (UUP)

Changes Relating to the Education Committee 1999-20021 Mr Mitchel McLaughlin replaced Mr Barry McElduff as a member of the Committee from 1 July 2002.2 Mr Alban Maginness replaced Ms Patricia Lewsley as a member of the Committee from 20 May 2002.3 Mr Tom Hamilton replaced Mr Tom Benson as a member of the Committee from 29 January 2001. Mr Benson had died on 24 December 2000.